3 Important Life Themes

When you ask people what it means to be like Christ, they will probably point out His spiritual fruit and character. To be like Christ is to be loving, to be generous, to be patient, to be prayerful, to be kind, and we can add a hundred more desirable traits of Christ. How do we get to that point? When we choose to follow God we also sign up to experience His life in total. Becoming like Christ requires a few life themes to be evident in our journey. When these life themes unfold, we find ourselves becoming more like the Lord.

Theme 1: Suffering without losing faith

Whether it be in our physical bodies or in our emotional state, we will suffer at times. We will be persecuted, we will be discouraged, and we may experience great loss or pain. This is what we've signed up for. The Christian life is not about avoiding suffering but embracing the sufferings of Christ that mold us into His image. Throughout these times of suffering, we are encouraged to increase in our faith, boldness, and trust. Blessings will come, but we can't avoid Godly suffering. Suffering is always there but we don't have to fear it.

Theme 2: Sacrificing for the greater good

We all know that Christ made many sacrifices and ultimately gave up His life for us. Your life will also involve many decisions that will require you to sacrifice your "wants" for the fulfillment of God's desires. Time, pleasure, money, and certain freedoms will be put on the line when you follow the narrow path. For instance, I would love to find a job in San Diego where I can enjoy the beach, go wave-running, and enjoy the sun. Delaware is not a bad place, but c'mon it's no San Diego! Even though I'd love to explore other opportunities, my place is in Delaware for this season. I could also find a job close to home that pays more but it may require more of my time...time that I should use to develop myself, other people, and ministries. Sacrifice and self centered living are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Once we begin living a life of sacrifice, we then need to learn to be settled...

Theme 3: Settling into the Father's plan

Notice I did not write settling for the Father's plan. Settling for the Father's plan would imply that the Father's plan isn't "all that". Settling for would mean there is something better out there that we should be doing. It would mean we're missing out. In reality, we're missing out on a ton of things, but there is no possible way to experience and acquire everything we want. God has an ability to fashion our lives in such a manner that we experience and acquire those things that create an overall life of contentment. We may not get to have everything, but we have everything we need. We may not experience everything, but we experience life the way it should be. God doesn't have to modify His plans to make them better. We need to renew our minds to view His plans as being better. Don't fight His plan. Settle into it.

Are you suffering, sacrificing, and learning to settle into the Father's plan? If so, be encouraged because you are becoming Christ-like. Welcome to Christianity.


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How To Prosper

Read Psalm 1:1-3

Money, power, respect is the key to life...or so they say. We live in a world of foolish insight but we don't have to adopt it. As leaders of the faith, we follow a different motto. For us, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit is the key to a prosperous and meaningful life.

We all want good things. I'd like to advance in my career, ministry, and family life. If I pursue a goal, I'd like to accomplish it. I want my life to be productive and show signs of growth. I want to make an impact. As much as possible, I'd like to see positive results. Is that your desire?

The first few verses of Psalm 1 give us some critical advice. Advice that is so straight forward yet so transformational. In these verses you find two key instructions for producing amazing results in your life:

1. Live Distinct - Psalm 1:1 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.."

As an evangeleader, the challenge will be influencing the world without adopting behaviors that contradict our faith. We're not called to live in a bubble but we are called to be distinct. How distinct are you in God's eyes. Remember, His eyes search the very heart of man. Pay close attention to your relationships. Influence people by upholding your biblical values and at the same time honor God by denying certain values of this age.

2. Live for God - Psalm 1:2 "But his delight is in the law of the Lord..."

When we delight in the will of God, we commit ourselves to living out His desires. We love others, we give, and we are eager to develop a strong relationship with Him. Delighting in God places Him as the director of our lives. Contentment, provision, peace, joy, and purpose are found when we live for God. When it comes down to it, prosperity is found in the plans of God and not our own.

Live distinct, live for God, and you'll find the favor needed to prosper.


"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper."

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Leadership Tips From Paul

Read 2 Corinthians for more background information.

Have you ever heard a dynamic speaker or observed a charismatic leader win the hearts of people and maybe even attracted you to their leadership? Let's be honest. We gravitate to leaders that have the ability to eloquently motivate us, inspire us, or even make us laugh. We sometimes validate people's position, power, and authority by the "hype".

Paul, one of the greatest men of God, was challenged by the church of Corinth who began to question his authority, integrity, and even began to criticize his lack in skilled oratory. He wasn't a philosopher that could "wow" them. His approach to ministry was all about the Good News, humbling himself, and moving as far away from the spotlight as possible. He didn't want people to affiliate with Paul but with Christ.

Though he didn't have some of the hype that attracts people today, he had something more important. He had the knowledge to back up his ministry. Faithfully, he served even after being stoned, beaten, imprisoned, and shipwrecked. He received direct revelation from God and wasn't just wise in his own understanding. At the end of the day, the fruits show that he was a leader that was called.

Here are a few of the many things we can learn from Paul's life of leadership...

1. Be leaders and follow leaders that grow in knowledge (2 Cor. 11:5-6)

Paul knew that he is not inferior to the false prophets or the genuine apostles of that day. He knew that he had as much or more truth and knowledge then the most "eminent" apostles around. Are you lacking confidence in your calling? Seek out knowledge.

2. Be leaders and follow leaders of calling and not just capability (2 Cor. 11:22-27)

When your called, your heart, mind, level of faith, and discernment is built for a particular position. Your capabilities are the hands and feet that help do the job. Calling is given while capabilities can be learned. Of the two, calling is most important. Only a true calling of grace enabled Paul to fulfill his mission in the midst of extreme hardship. If your called, your far ahead of those that seem to be better equipped.


3. Be leaders and follow leaders that have the right focus (2 Cor. 11:28)

Too many ministers and progressive Christians fall into the trap of building a focus around themselves. Support leaders that have the right focus and intentions. What is your daily focus? Is it how you can better yourself or is it how your life can better others?

We can all learn from Paul's life of leadership. May God confirm your calling, increase your knowledge, and protect your focus.

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